In the Ustyurt region of western Uzbekistan, a deep cooperation on energy development is accelerating across the vast desert desert. With the arrival of drilling rigs from China Petroleum Western Drilling Engineering Co., Ltd., the roar of China Ukraine energy cooperation once again resounds on this long dormant land. From the initial negotiations to the current equipment boom, the cooperation between the two parties has substantially entered a critical stage of accelerating construction.

Comprehensive acceleration of construction

Recently, Abdulgany Sanginov, Chairman of Uzbekistan National Oil and Gas Company, held talks with Aixin, General Manager of China Petroleum Western Drilling Engineering Co., Ltd., and led a delegation to review the deployment of drilling rigs and the progress of well construction for the Ustyurt deep well project. According to the existing contract between the two parties, Western Drilling plans to invest 9 drilling rigs in the area.

At present, 6 drilling rigs have successfully arrived at the well site, of which 3 wells have officially started drilling operations. Another 3 well sites are in the equipment installation stage, and the remaining 3 drilling rigs are also being intensively transported. Faced with the situation where some assignments were delayed from the contract schedule, both parties reached a consensus to fully accelerate the equipment deployment, installation, and drilling process. To ensure the efficient progress of the project, both parties have set clear milestones: to complete 3 wells by November 15, 2026, and another 2 wells by December. The centralized deployment of these 9 drilling rigs is not only a concentrated display of China's drilling service capabilities, but also a clear signal that the project has entered the sprint stage.

Increase single well production

This cooperation does not stop at simple drilling construction, but extends to the depth of technological upgrading and efficiency improvement. Both sides will focus on promoting geological data analysis, multi-layer oilfield exploration, and widely apply advanced Chinese technology solutions such as directional drilling and horizontal drilling. Chairman of Uzbekistan National Oil and Gas Company, Sanginov, stated that modern technology from Western Drilling is expected to significantly improve drilling efficiency and significantly increase single well production.

In addition to equipment and technology input, both parties also plan to strengthen expert knowledge sharing, jointly solve on-site technical problems, and continuously introduce advanced drilling technology through pilot and actual construction. This comprehensive cooperation from equipment to technology, from construction to management, is helping the Ukrainian side cultivate local technological strength and promote the digital and efficient transformation of the local oil and gas industry.

Layout of Central Asian Energy

This progress coordination is a further implementation of the priority cooperation direction determined by both parties in Urumqi, China, marking the official entry of China Ukraine oil and gas cooperation into the construction and execution stage. The advancement of the deep well project in the Ustyurt region deeply reflects the urgent need for Uzbekistan to accelerate the development of domestic oil and gas resources and improve the production efficiency of mature and potential oil and gas fields.

By introducing Chinese drilling equipment, digital and directional drilling technologies, the Ukrainian side hopes to maximize the efficiency of resource exploration and development while strictly controlling the project cycle. This not only helps Uzbekistan ensure its own energy security, but also sets a new benchmark for China and Central Asian countries to carry out production capacity cooperation and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. With the full operation of 9 drilling rigs in the Ustyurt region, the future prospects of China Ukraine energy cooperation are becoming increasingly clear.Editor/Yang Meiling